Editorial - Alternate routes a fine idea, but public wants to know they will help, not hurt

Thursday

Sep 20, 2012 at 10:53 PM

Wise words on the future of roads in northern Brunswick County, from the man who developed Waterford in Leland: "If you don't plan now, the routes won't be available in the future."Developer Bert Exum was speaking at a meeting in which residents of the Leland, Navassa and Belville area were asked for comments on a proposal that would, among other things, build a series of collector streets or service roads to make it easier to get around in an increasingly busy community. It would make infinite sense, allowing residents shorter, more direct routes to shops and offices and between adjacent neighborhoods.Service roads to the sprawling shops on either side of U.S. 17 and some well-designed back entrances could take a heavy burden off other heavily traveled corridors, including 17, N.C. 133 and Village Road. Alternate routes give drivers many different choices. In some cases they must take a roundabout route to go a short distance because convenient connections are lacking.On paper, it's a sound idea. People drive less, save gas and take pressure off the main roads. In practice, however, it can be a tough sell. If this is where the local Metropolitan Planning Organization is looking to go, transportation officials will need to convince residents of existing communities that it will be good for them, their property values and their quality of life.And that has proven a challenge.Similar ideas have been promoted in New Hanover County, where planners have for years said that "interconnectivity" between subdivisions or building mixed-use developments would satisfy all three aims. But people in already heavily developed areas such as Middle Sound and southern New Hanover County fear that such connections would only put more traffic onto neighborhood streets, creating safety problems and eroding that sought-after quality of life.Planners in northern Brunswick may have a better opportunity because more land is available, and in some cases neighborhoods can be built with connection in mind. Selling the idea to people who don't like the prospect of through traffic will be more difficult.The most important thing those planners can do is to listen to the people who attended Monday's MPO workshop. Let residents help identify what is right and what's wrong about the initial plan, and add their own suggestions. That meeting was an earnest attempt to do so. They also must work quickly. If a plan is not in place ahead of the next wave of new residents and businesses, northern Brunswick's few main corridors will become more and more congested.Because, getting those new roads built will not be a speedy process.